Dell's special committee reportedly delaying shareholder vote
Dell shareholders were scheduled to make a decision once and for all on July 18 about whether or not the PC company should revert to a private operation.
Looks like this soap opera is not going to be canceled just yet.
According to Bloomberg, the special committee set up at Dell to resolve this matter is supposedly planning to delay the vote in order to swing support toward CEO Michael Dell's $24.4 billion proposal.
Dell starts new chapter
The possible delay follows a move by prominent Dell investor Carl Icahn last week in which the American business magnate dropped hints touting his new proposal to Michael Dell's plans once again.
Icahn's latest suggestion outlined that Dell would self tender 1.1 billion shares of stock for $14 a share plus one transferable warrant for every four shares purchased.
These warrants would allow shareholders to purchase a share of Dell for $20 for seven years. Should Dell shares be worth more than $20, the idea is that these shareholders would benefit.
Here's a quick recap of where things have stood up until early July as company executives fight over whether Dell should revert to operating as a private company.
As of June 5, the Round Rock, Texas-based corporation had two options on the table:
An all-cash deal from Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners for $13.65 per share
An alternative from Icahn and Southeastern Asset Management that leverages the company to pay a $12 special dividend and buy up 72 percent of existing shares.
Blackstone was previously involved in the mix, but later dropped out amid the global PC market meltdown.
There have been debates back and forth over whether Michael Dell and company should raise their initial $24.4 billion offer.
Icahn tried requesting a meeting with Dell's special committee on the matter after lining up approximately $5.2 billion in loans to back his alternative buyout bid.
However, the special committee rejected Icahn's bid as "inconsistent".
Concurring with Silver Lake, top proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services backed the CEO's plan earlier this week.